Obituaries for Aug. 4, 2022

Rose A. Toledo

FARMINGTON — Graveside services for Rose Ann Toledo, 83, of Plano, Texas, will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at 10 a.m., at Memory Gardens in Farmington.

Rose was born June 20, 1939, in Bisti, New Mexico, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nalí is Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together); cheii is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). She passed away July 17, 2022, in Plano.

Rose graduated from Wingate High School in 1963 and was the Modern Miss Navajo Nation from 1960 to 1961.

Upon graduation, Rose moved to Farmington, where she worked various jobs in sales at McClullans and Dan Boots and Saddles, before she began working at the Farmington Motor Vehicle Department in the early 1970s. She would eventually become the manager until her retirement in 2001.

During her retirement, Rose enjoyed going to song-and-dances, spending time with family and friends, hanging out at the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center, going to the local casinos, watching her granddaughters play soccer, volunteering as an election poll worker, and volunteering in the Navajo Nation Foster Grandparent Program where she was known to many students as Grandma Roses.

Since mid-2019, Rose lived in Plano, at the Sunrise Independent Living Facility where she had many friends and enjoyed various activities, especially walking and putting many miles on her moccasins as a way to stay fit. She also enjoyed sitting outside the gazebo listening to the birds and watching bunnies frolic.

As many know, Rose was very social and enjoyed meeting and talking to people. She made friends wherever she was and enjoyed looking at flowers and had a green thumb for plants. She was able to rejuvenate plants when no one else could.

Lastly, Rose enjoyed hearing about and following the lives of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. She will be greatly missed by all.

Rose is survived by her daughter, Kelly Ann Gomez (Richard) of Gallup; son, Kevin Bahe (Margaret) of McKinney, Texas; sisters, Virginia Kellywood of Gallup, and Mary Huyser (Dan) of Fort Defiance; brother, James Pioche Sr. of Shiprock; and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Reception location will be shared at the service.

Ted Dickey West Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Joe J. Begay

CHINLE — Funeral services for Joe James Begay, 82, of Chinle, will be held Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m., at the Grace Fellowship Community Church in Chinle, with Rev. Bill Lee and Rev. Tom White officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Chinle.

Joe was born Aug. 23, 1939, in Chinle, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He passed away July 29, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Joe attended Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, and the School of Ministry Training in Dallas, Texas. He enjoyed working on cars, football, fishing, boxing, traveling, and ministering. He also loved Chinese food and his dog Spanky.

Joe is survived by his wife, Geraldine Begay; son, Gerry Begay; daughters, Jodell Ashihi, Teena Begay and Nadine Lee; brother, Roger Halwood; sister, Mae Yazzie; and 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Joe is preceded in death by his son, Joey T. Begay; parents, Clara Halwood and Thomas Begay; brothers, Dennis Begay, Willis Begay and Philip Halwood; and sisters, Emma Lee and Laura Carroll.

Pallbearers will be Eian K. Lee, Krethen K. Lee, Jeremiah Ashihi, Leslie Tyler, James Simpson, and Zachariah Hooper.

Honorary pallbearers will be Darryl Howe, Martin Begaye, Davin T. Begay, Joseph W. Begay, and Chester Begay.

A reception will take place at the Grace Fellowship Community Church, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Frank Adakai

MANUELITO, N.M. — An honoring memorial reception for Frank Adakai will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m., at the Manuelito Chapter House (17 miles west of Gallup).

Frank was born June 26, 1940. He passed away July 6, 2022.

Frank was a former Navajo policeman in the early 1960s and retired in 1998 as a federal agent. He served a total of 37.5 years in the criminal justice field.

Frank married Corie Moran Adakai in 1961. They would have been married 60 years in December 2022.

Corie made her journey into the spirit world on April 24, 2022, and Frank made his journey into the spirit world on July 6, 2022. They will forever be together.

For information on the honoring reception, call Cookie or Rayma at 505-306-4176 or 505-803-8667.

James R. Nelson

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Graveside service for James Rodger Nelson was held Aug. 5, 2020, at the St. Michael’s cemetery.
James was born May 14, 1948, in Winslow, Arizona. He passed away Aug. 1, 2020, in Winslow.

James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. We will miss his big smile, sense of humor and kind heart. We will miss him greatly.

Matthew C. Begay

BUFFALO SPRINGS, N.M. — Graveside service for Matthew Cory Begay, 22, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, was held Aug. 3 in Buffalo Springs, New Mexico, with family members officiating.

Matthew was born Dec. 8, 1999, in Gallup, into the Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan), born for Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan). He passed away July 19, 2022, in Phoenix.

Matthew attended Tohatchi High School and Wingate High School. He enjoyed building artifacts and was an avid video gamer.

Matthew is survived by his father, Thurman Begay; brothers, Donovan Begay and Eric Watson; sister, Tiffany Begay; maternal grandfather, Harry Begay; and paternal grandmother, Mary E. Begay.

Matthew is preceded in death by his mother, Carol Begay; maternal grandmother, Mable Begay; and paternal grandfather, Tony Begay Sr.

Pallbearers were Donavan Begay, Rex Begay and Eric Watson.

Honorary pallbearer was Thurman Begay.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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